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Obituaries December 12, 2012

He was born on April 24, 1928, in New Britain, Connecticut, a son of Jeremie Labrecque and Marie Anna (Morin) Labrecque. On September 4, 1954, he married Jeannette Limoges of Newport Center, who survives him. They raised their family on the family farm where Mr. Labrecque lived for the past 80 years.

Mr. Labrecque attended two one-room schoolhouses, the Devereaux School and the Fiske School, both in Barton. During his high school years he would pick up milk cans from local farms and deliver them to United Farmers prior to attending school. He graduated from Barton Academy in 1947.

He would commonly be seen driving his truck in Orleans County loaded with hay and sawdust for area farmers. In the fall he would be seen with loads of Christmas trees and balsam brush headed to the lower New England states, as well as Pennsylvania and New York.

In the late 1980s, he began trucking gravel from his farm. This business grew to become known as Labrecque Sand and Gravel. He loved his “big toys,” loaders, backhoes, excavators and other construction equipment. Most of all, he loved his 1978 green Mack truck, which he operated until his death.

Mr. Labrecque enjoyed the Willoughby Lake area, sugaring in the sugarhouse built by his uncle with lumber from trees felled by the hurricane of 1938. He was well known for visiting with the neighbors and sharing his wisdom about the area with people from all over. Most of all, he enjoyed his family and home.

He is survived by his wife, Jeannette, of Barton; his children Jeannine LaCoss of Lyndonville, Yvette and her husband, George Grenier, of Derby, Paul and his companion, Debbie Libby, of Brownington, Richard and his companion, Deana Cowles, of Barton, Gisele and her husband, John Miner, of Hyde Park, Georgette and her husband, Allen Griffin, of Barton, and Monique Paquette of Lyndonville; by 14 grandchildren: Daniel LaCoss, Michelle Gilman, Renee LaCoss, Eric Grenier, Brent Grenier, Cole Labrecque, Lana Labrecque, Amanda Duffy, Michael Sanville, Raegen Phillips, Chance Griffin, Armand Paquette, Ronnie Paquette and Jeremie Paquette: by 13 great-grandchildren and three more expected.

He was predeceased by his parents, half brother of Canada, and son-in-law Michael Paquette.

Calling hours will be on Wednesday, December 12, from 5 to 8 p.m., and on Thursday December 13, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home at 12 Elm St. in Barton. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Barton on Thursday, December 13, at 11 a.m. Father “Tim” Naples will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Paul’s Building Fund, 85 St. Paul’s Lane, Barton, Vermont 05822.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.

To read a story Chris Braithwaite wrote about Henry Labrecque in September 2011, please click here.

Darrell Maskell

Darrell Darwin Maskell

Darrell Darwin Maskell, a lifelong resident of Craftsbury, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family and friends on Thursday, December 6, 2012. He fought a courageous 12-year battle with cancer.

He was born October 28, 1961, in Hardwick, a son of Calvin and Nadine Baker Maskell.

He married the love of his life, Candace Sue Wells, on October 24, 1987. Together they had two children who were their pride and joy, Chelsea Ann and Kyle Dean.

He is also survived by his six siblings: His sister Debra Chaffee and Claire of Albany, his five brothers: Calvin “Butch” Maskell of Albany, Stephen Maskell and Julie of Eden, David Maskell and Penny Wells of North Wolcott, Dennis Maskell and Lisa of Hardwick, and Chet Chase of Connecticut.

He was predeceased by his parents and a sister-in-law, Marilyn Chase.

He attended Craftsbury graded school and Craftsbury Academy. He spent most of his life working as an iron worker or logging.

He was an avid Boston Red Sox fan, and he really enjoyed the rivalry between his New York family who were Yankee fans, especially the verbal rants between him and his nephew Alexander. He enjoyed deer hunting with his children and friends. He had an amazing talent for taking a raw piece of wood and crafting a beautiful item out of it. He was an arm wrestling state champion. He was a big collector of Coca Cola items.

Mr. Maskell was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and uncle to his many nieces and nephews. He had a special place in his heart for Steve and Patsy. He had a big booming voice, which rivaled his huge, generous heart.

A memorial service will be held Friday, December 14, at 11 a.m. at the United Church of Johnson. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 13, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the White-Fiess Funeral Home, 165 Brooklyn St., in Morrisville. Interment will be in Lamoille View Cemetery in Johnson in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Maskell requested that donations be made to a charity that was very close to his heart and helped in his time of need: The Lamoille Area Cancer Network, P.O. Box 38, Lake Elmore, Vermont 05657.